Fans of Neil Diamond have a chance to hear a live performance of some of his greatest hits this weekend.

Las Vegas-based tribute group, The King of Diamonds Band, will play at the Fairmont Southampton Amphitheatre tonight and tomorrow with Bermuda's own, The Travellers, as the opening act.

Expected are a number of popular tunes including 'You Don't Bring Me Flowers', 'Sweet Caroline', 'Love on the Rocks', and 'Forever in Blue Jeans'.

Rob Garrett, who heads the eight-piece band, is known as "the king" of Neil Diamond impersonators – in 2008, the group was voted Las Vegas' Male Musical Tribute Act of the Year.

Their performances are largely confined to songs released by Neil Diamond between 1976 and 1981.

Born in 1941, Mr. Diamond is not far off 70. As noted by Mr. Garrett: "I figure the only advantage I have over him is that he can't be that Neil anymore."

Originally from New York, Mr. Garrett learned to play the guitar at age 14. His main influences? Elvis, the Beatles, and quite naturally, Neil Diamond.

In 1974 his family moved to Las Vegas and six years later, he formed the group Rock 'n' Roll Heaven. By 1995 he had achieved prominence as the leader and front man of Las Vegas' premiere oldies and classic rock group.

"I grew up just as rock and roll was taking over the world, so it was in my blood from the very beginning," he said.

"When the Beatles arrived at John F. Kennedy Airport in 1964, I was living right there in the middle of it all.

"I saw Elvis for the very first time in 1972 – at Madison Square Garden when he was in his prime, during the live concert years. It changed my life forever, and I ended up seeing him yet another 22 times before his untimely death."

Despite that obvious appreciation, it was the music of Neil Diamond that resonated more with the entertainer. He first saw him perform in Las Vegas.

"It was the July 4th weekend in 1976, America's bicentennial, when he opened at the Theater for the Performing Arts at the Aladdin Hotel and Casino," said Mr. Garrett.

"He held the audience, including myself, spellbound and broke all existing Las Vegas concert records at that time.

"I had been a fan since 1969 and I'd always thought that he had written some of the most poignant lyrics I'd ever heard and I knew he had a way of expressing his lyrics and music in a way that no other singer/songwriter had done so before or since."

When Rock 'n' Roll Heaven took off in 1980, the band covered a wide spectrum of music, the earliest songs dating to 1954.

"I would always copy certain artists' voices and mannerisms when I performed their songs, but when the song was over I moved on to the next one," he said.

"I would always get the strongest reception when I did my Neil imitation."

In 1995 Mr. Garrett decided to change his focus. John Stuart and Paul Revere of The Raiders hired him to portray Neil Diamond in a show in Hawaii known as the biggest forum in the world for impersonators, 'Legends In Concert'.

What was to be a two-month trial engagement for Mr. Garrett, turned into three years.

"Neil's a phenomenon as witnessed by any of his recent sold out concerts," he added.

"Anytime he decides to hit the tour circuit he breaks attendance records and always ends up as one of the top five money grossing concert attractions of the year.

"He has become this polished, consummate performer who doesn't rely on big production and choreography to make his show work.

"He's the last of the breed that I refer to as 'minstrels', the performers who get on the stage for two hours plus, with just their guitar and backup band, and can still bring an audience to their knees.

"He's still got it, but unfortunately it seems as if he's touring less often these days, and when he does tour it's in select places and always sold out way in advance.

"There are many people who would like to see him perform, but never get the chance. I love the challenge of re-creating the performances of this great musical legend who I hope still has many years of performances left in him."

In 1998, Mr. Garrett decided to return home to Las Vegas, where he continued to perform as Neil Diamond.

Performances there and across the United States have gained him the title, "the King of Diamonds".

In July 2000, his act was caught by Ron Tutt, the legendary drummer who has performed with Mr. Diamond since 1981. Prior to that, between 1969 and 1977, he played with Elvis Presley.

Praise of the performance followed, with Mr. Tutt stating: "You have got him down!"

441 Productions, who last year brought in The Beatles' and U2 tribute bands, are behind this weekend's offerings.

Tickets $69, are available at iStore and All Wrapped Up. Doors open at 7.30 p.m. The concert starts at 8.30 p.m. Part proceeds will be donated to The Live Healthy Bermuda Foundation.